It seems that Geraldine Ferraro's comments are now devolving into an all too predictable and racially charged war about whether or not what she said was actually racist. But if everyone would back up and look at the big picture, I think you'll see that the internal logic behind her comments, regardless of whether you consider them race-baiting or not, is dangerous and extremely counter productive.
Essentially, Ferraro was not showing outrage that black voters are supporting Obama. She was outraged that white voters are supporting Obama. This is what she meant when she says that "people are caught up in the concept of who he is" and that he should consider himself lucky. If we follow that thread, we come to a basic assumption that the Clinton campaign has about this race. It's the same assumption that has sat behind every meme they've thrown out from "inevitable" to "just words" to "Obamanaia is a cult."
Simply stated, that assumption is this: that anyone who votes against Hillary Clinton must have an ulterior motive for doing so. That when the two candidates are placed side by side any objective, reasoning person will see that she is the better candidate. That there is no possible substansive reason for someone to oppose her.
Now. I'd be happy to write a diary detailing the reasons I support Obama's candidacy on policy issues alone. But beyond that, you have to ask : is this really the argument that we want to take into November?
If we allow Hillary Clinton to win the Pennsylvania primary and possibly the nomination on the back of a charge that the other candidate in the primary was not qualified and only in a position to win because of identity politics, the real winner is John Mccain.
Why? Because if you're going to campaign on the premise that any person running for president must meet certain arbitrary qualifications then it is important that you yourself meet those qualifications. If you are going to argue that race and gender should be disregarded as factors then it is important that you be able to succeed once those factors are taken away.
And thus the obvious question: Does Hillary meet the standard she is trying to set? And if she doesn't, then she is setting herself up to be taken down.
Change can trump experience. Charisma can trump gusto.
But resumes built on a shallow foundation will not beat war hero with over 20 years in the senate if you make it the centerpiece of your appeal.
So I'm asking you. Democrats. Hillary supporters. Don't go there. Because you won't like there. Don't saw off your leg to save your arm. Back away from the abyss. Slowly and carefully.
And just in case you need a reminder what the stakes are go take a look at Bill Moyers's program this week. Mccain's own friends make the case that he's not like Bush. Not at all.
He's like Cheney.